IWC Pilot watch Watch | New ＆ Used Items List
Pilot's watches debuted in 1936. As the name suggests, they were originally designed for commercial pilots. In 1948, the Mark 11, the first in the Mark series that continues to this day, was released. Issued to pilots of the Royal Air Force, it enjoyed a long and successful career. Its distinctive design, a triangular index at 12 o'clock, allows pilots to instantly recognize the position of the hands while piloting a plane, and remains a staple in current models. The black dial with luminous hands and indexes is known as cockpit design, and has become a signature style of pilot's watches. The large, conical crown used on Big Pilot's Watches is designed for easy adjustment and winding, even while wearing gloves. It's these meticulous details that make these watches so popular today.